A West Virginia lawmaker floated the idea during floor debate in the state's House of Delegates of having school children work as janitors, the Associated Press reports.

The West Virginia House recently passed a school lunch bill on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, by a vote of 89-9, according to the Associated Press. The Feed to Achieve Act would establish nonprofits to solicit private donations to go toward providing every child with a breakfast and lunch at no cost.

But one Republican suggested that was a misguided notion.

"I think it would be a good idea if perhaps we had the kids work for their lunches: trash to be taken out, hallways to be swept, lawns to be mowed, make them earn it," Del. Ray Canterbury (R-Greenbrier) said during floor debate. "If they miss a lunch or they miss a meal they might not, in that class that afternoon, learn to add, they may not learn to diagram a sentence, but they'll learn a more important lesson."

Canterbury argued that providing students with free lunches would destroy their work ethic and show them "there's an easy way," the Charleston Gazette reported.

"I'm offended anybody in this body would dare say a child has to work for their meals," responded Del. Meshea Poore (D-Kanawha), according to the Gazette. "I can't believe someone would say a first-grader, a second-grader ... a fifth-grader has to labor before they eat. This isn't an entitlement bill."

According to a 2004 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children in West Virginia [PDF] were almost twice as likely to live in neighborhoods with a high poverty rate, compared to the national average. The group also ranks West Virginia 47th nationally for education, with 79 percent of eighth graders not proficient in math and 73 percent of fourth graders not proficient in reading.

A national survey in 2012 from Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign found a majority of teachers report pupils coming to school hungry, which the group says makes it more difficult for students to concentrate.

Canterbury's suggestion was similar to a remark made by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich during a debate in the Republican presidential primary, when Gingrich suggested making poor students become janitors at their schools.

The Feed to Achieve Act now heads to the desk of West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who is expected to sign it.

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

you are an impressive poster...your takes and positioning are spot on in most cases...IMO

I'll let the poster identify himself/herself if they want to. But it is odd that you think I'm stupid but he thinks I'm smart. I mean, it's....so.....weird!

__________________
That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters!

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

"The West Virginia House recently passed a school lunch bill on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, by a vote of 89-9, according to the Associated Press. The Feed to Achieve Act would establish nonprofits to solicit private donations to go toward providing every child with a breakfast and lunch at no cost."

Wait, I'm misunderstanding this. It says kids have to work for their lunches. So doesn't that just mean ALL kids in the class have to do shit before they're allowed to go to lunch?

People are extracting only the kids on free and reduced lunches from the article, and I don't think that's what the guy was saying.

If it's means what I think it means, that's not all that different from what goes on right now in some schools. I remember in my elementary years that it was school policy to have teachers assign kids clean-up chores around the classroom before they could go home. They included wiping out the sinks, washing the chalkboard, picking up all the paper from the floor, etc. I did it something at the end of every school day from 1st through 5th grade.

Wait, I'm misunderstanding this. It says kids have to work for their lunches. So doesn't that just mean ALL kids in the class have to do shit before they're allowed to go to lunch?

People are extracting only the kids on free and reduced lunches from the article, and I don't think that's what the guy was saying.

If it's means what I think it means, that's not all that different from what goes on right now in some schools. I remember in my elementary years that it was school policy to have teachers assign kids clean-up chores around the classroom before they could go home. They included wiping out the sinks, washing the chalkboard, picking up all the paper from the floor, etc. I did it something at the end of every school day from 1st through 5th grade.

I will say that in Japan (I believe) the kids help with the food preparation. They do that at my son's private preschool (which does all the way up to Jr. High) as well, and it's freaking awesome. I do think there is something to be said for the kids taking ownership in food preparation and building upkeep... but it should be across the board.

It's also NEVER going to happen in the current environment because such holistic pursuits aren't measurable on test scores (similar to the ridiculousness of most elementary kids getting a single 15 minute recess per day because they need the time for test prep instead... even though the kids will learn better if they're getting more physical activity).

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

Wait, I'm misunderstanding this. It says kids have to work for their lunches. So doesn't that just mean ALL kids in the class have to do shit before they're allowed to go to lunch?

People are extracting only the kids on free and reduced lunches from the article, and I don't think that's what the guy was saying.

If it's means what I think it means, that's not all that different from what goes on right now in some schools. I remember in my elementary years that it was school policy to have teachers assign kids clean-up chores around the classroom before they could go home. They included wiping out the sinks, washing the chalkboard, picking up all the paper from the floor, etc. I did it something at the end of every school day from 1st through 5th grade.

The problem I have with it is summed up in this quote from the article:

"If they miss a lunch or they miss a meal they might not, in that class that afternoon, learn to add, they may not learn to diagram a sentence, but they'll learn a more important lesson."

A kid's "job" in school is to learn, not pick up trash after their students or wipe down the toilets. Many kids have a hard enough time with learning in school as it is. Taking away their lunch because they didn't wipe down the chalkboards or do some other manual labor would make afternoons even worse.

If kids are acting up in classes, have them go to detentions after or before school to do manual labor.

This Republican moron's proposal is a social engineering project designed on perverse incentives that is so divorced from decency and reality that only someone like you would think it's a good idea.

you are way too far left to suit me most times, but this time I agree with parts of your post

__________________Ephesians 2:8-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What kind of idiot kid would work for food when Tamerlan tTerrorist got free welfare, Iphone, Mercedes, and food? Look I understand teaching kids how to be responsible citizens who will one day pay their own freight (and Tamerlan's too). But this is a bit much.

Wait.....I must have missed that story....the Boston bomber was on welfare? The one who wasn't a citizen?

There must already be a thread for this story...ill go find it and post there also.

Good Lord, there are enough problems in schools today already. Let the kids eat lunch. It is not the children's fault they are in the situation they are in, and showing some kindness to them in their formative years just might prevent them from become the assholes of the future, and encourage them to be kind to others when they become successful in life.

Wait, I'm misunderstanding this. It says kids have to work for their lunches. So doesn't that just mean ALL kids in the class have to do shit before they're allowed to go to lunch?

People are extracting only the kids on free and reduced lunches from the article, and I don't think that's what the guy was saying.

If it's means what I think it means, that's not all that different from what goes on right now in some schools. I remember in my elementary years that it was school policy to have teachers assign kids clean-up chores around the classroom before they could go home. They included wiping out the sinks, washing the chalkboard, picking up all the paper from the floor, etc. I did it something at the end of every school day from 1st through 5th grade.

Same here.

__________________
You talk crap you get reincarnated as toilet paper.